Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has issued a stern warning to Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs) nationwide, cautioning them against abusing their authority and stressing that the transformation of police stations must start with their leadership.

Kanja was speaking at the opening of the OCS National Consultative Conference held at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The four-day forum has brought together 225 OCSs from different parts of the country to deliberate on service delivery, discipline, community engagement, and operational preparedness.

The Inspector General emphasised that the National Police Service is guided by the Constitution of Kenya, which calls for the highest standards of professionalism and discipline. He said OCSs, being the face and voice of the Service at the community level, carry the moral responsibility of ensuring that stations operate within the law and serve the public with dignity.

Kanja reminded officers that they are not just administrators of stations but also custodians of public trust. According to him, the transformation of police stations into true centres of excellence must start with the way OCSs lead and manage their personnel. He stressed that every commander must ensure effective, efficient, and lawful operations.

The Inspector General also underlined the importance of civility in policing, urging OCSs to treat citizens with respect and decorum. He cautioned that his office will not condone commanders who fail to meet standards set out in the Standing Orders, the National Police Service Act, and the Constitution.

Human rights, Kanja added, remain central to the work of the Service. He encouraged OCSs to lead by example by advising their personnel to always respect the law and uphold the rights of the people in their daily duties.

The consultative forum, themed “Transforming Police Stations into Centres of Excellence and Service Delivery”, aims to strengthen the role of OCSs in promoting professionalism, accountability, and closer ties with communities.

The opening session was attended by senior police leadership and officials from the National Police Service, underscoring the weight placed on the role of OCSs in shaping the future of policing in Kenya.

With his message, Kanja made it clear that accountability and transformation at the grassroots of policing can only be achieved if OCSs embody discipline, professionalism, and integrity in their stations.